A judge has directed the jury in the trial of an 80-year old former Clare school teacher that they return a not guilty verdict in respect of eight of the counts of indecent assault against him.
The jury is expected to retire this afternoon to consider their verdict in respect of the other 59 charges.
The man at the centre of this case was accused of 67 counts of indecent assault of 11 females at the Co Clare school over a 21 year period from 1964 to 1985.
He denies all wrongdoing, and at Ennis Circuit Court this morning, Judge Gerald Keyes directed that the jury return a not guilty verdict in respect of eight out the counts.
The jury will still consider the remaining 59 charges, with deliberations expected to begin this afternoon.
Closing arguments were made in the case yesterday by counsel for the prosecution and the defence.
Today, Judge Keyes gave his charge that contained various legal warnings to the jury on the evidence in the case and an outline of the evidence heard during the two week trial.
